The CORE is a new committee that has been created and chartered by the Metro Council to advise the Council and staff. The CORE will be an ongoing, standing Metro committee, whose main purpose is to:

provide input and advice for the successful implementation of the strategic plan

provide community oversight and opportunities for Metro to have greater accountability to the community on the implementation of the strategic plan

communicate Metro’s progress in implementing the strategic plan

assist Metro staff in the creation and implementation of the strategic plan evaluation.

Membership

The Metro Council appointed the 15 members of CORE in the Spring of 2017. The CORE members bring a number of demonstrated characteristics:

a commitment to racial equity, social and environmental justice, diversity and inclusion

the ability to work collaboratively with people of diverse perspectives and experiences

connections with local historically marginalized communities

experience, skills and knowledge in policy development, evaluation, local government and/or public sector partnerships, procurement, human resources, public participation, service design and delivery, research, education or business

the ability to represent the geographic and demographic diversity of the region.

CORE members are appointed to a two-year term. They are eligible to be reappointed to a second term.

On March 16, the Metro Council established the Committee on Racial Equity - an advisory committee expected to assist the Metro Council and staff on carrying out Metro's strategic plan to advance racial equity.

The Metro Council unanimously approved the Strategic Plan to Advance Racial Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, which was developed after hours of community forums, and input from advocates representing dozens of culturally-specific organization in greater Portland.

A draft plan to address regional equity issues is set for release today, after three years of discussion and development. A survey will allow the region's residents to provide feedback before the Metro Council considers the plan this summer.

Metro should build and evaluate a long-range regional equity strategy on a foundation of 10 indicators covering a wide range of social and economic well-being, chief operating officer Martha Bennett recommended last week. Bennett also added a new element intended to result in more short-term advances in regional equity: creating an action plan to prioritize equity in work Metro is already doing.

Whether your roots in the region run generations deep or you moved to Oregon last week, you have your own reasons for loving this place – and Metro wants to keep it that way. Help shape the future of the greater Portland region and discover tools, services and places that make life better today.